Operation School Bell

Dressing EL Dorado County children in need (K-12)

Children Shop for
New Clothing

Our many volunteers and sponsor retailers help make Operation School Bell^®shopping experience easy and fun for the children.

Together with their parent or guardians, K-5 students receive $100, grades 6-8 receive $125, and 9-12 receive $150. Students are able to select from a variety of school related clothing and always eager to get their first new coat or pair of shoes.

1,105 Students Served

Children who go to school without adequate clothing often suffer low self-esteem. Students (K-12th grade) are identified by El Dorado County public school personnel and brought by their parents/guardians to Operation School Bell events at Placerville Walmart. South Lake Tahoe students are able to shop with JCPenney’s for brand NEW clothing. Over 1,349 students were invited to shop.

624 Volunteer Hours

We could not provide shopping events without the support of our members, the schools and community. In 2024, 48 member volunteers and 5 community volunteers provided over 624 volunteer hours to conduct 5 shopping events for 1,105 students.

El Dorado County Office of Education and our local retailers are the BEST!

Our impact grows yearly, over 9,986 students have been served.

Since the program formation Operation School Bell has grown from 79 students clothed in 2008 to 1,105 students in 2024. The K-12 children who visit the shopping event all leave with a huge bag of new clothes, wide grins and a renewed sense of confidence.

Working in partnership with the El Dorado County Office of Education and Placerville Walmart store we were able to expand our reach to 58 El Dorado County conducting 5 shopping events, In South Lake Tahoe we support 9 schools and offer an online shopping service with JC Penny to meet the needs of these students. Our partnership also includes First Book to provide each child with a new book appropriate for their age.

Testimonials

Thank You, Thank You

I am an 8th grader at South Lake Tahoe Middle School. I am currently in a group home in Tahoe and was able to participate in the Operation School Bell Program. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity that your organization gave me to find some new clothing. I do not receive a clothing allowance, and though I have gotten a few new clothes from the group home, the money I received today really, really helped. Especially with fall around the corner! ~ Name withheld

Teachers Know First Hand

In today’s economy, there is such a great need for programs like this. One student thanked me profusely for the new clothes she had gotten. She shared that her mother had not been able to buy her anything new for school this year and that she was wearing used clothing that someone had given her. ~ JoAnn Hernandez, Counselor South Lake Tahoe Middle School

Our Hearts Swell

When asked why he had two pairs of shoes in his shopping cart, the middle school boy said he had been wearing his Aunt’s shoes for the last two years. His feet were sticking over the backs of the shoes.

Feels Very Special

I am sending a big thank you on behalf of my nephew, from Pleasant Grove Middle School. He participated in Operation School Bell shopping at Target and was beyond happy. He picked out a lot of nice clothes and then was so surprised with the haircut certificate and book at the end. It made him feel very, very special. He lost his Mom to cancer 2.5 years ago, so every act of kindness is a real blessing to him. Thank You again! ~ Name withheld

Grateful Students

Dick Williams, Superintendent and Principal of Mountain Creek Middle School shared comments from his students: “This was so cool. I really needed a new jacket and didn’t have one before”. “I got new shoes, this shirt, these cool pants and a sweater! My old shoes had holes in the bottom so now I won’t have shoes that leak when it rains!”. “I have never had a flannel shirt before, now I have two!”. You can see this was a very meaningful event for kids in real need. They were so happy to get things that most others simply take for granted.

Cynthia Lowery, Operation School Bell Chairman

Every $100 will help clothe a child with school clothes, shoes or coats.

Donate Now